Massive Cheating Scandal Rocks Chinese Xiangqi Association

A massive cheating scandal has rocked the world of Chinese chess, known as Xiangqi, as the Chinese Xiangqi Association (CXA) has penalised 41 players, including handing out lifetime bans to three grandmasters. The players who have received lifetime bans are Zhao Xinxin, Wang Yang, and Zheng Weitong, with their technical titles also being stripped away.

The scandal came to light when the CXA announced that Zhao and 40 other players were involved in illegal activities such as bribery and match-fixing. Gai Hongyan, Deputy Director of the Administrative Center and Disciplinary Committee, expressed concern over the impact of these activities on the sport, stating that they have been hindering the healthy development of Xiangqi for over a decade.

Xiangqi is a strategic board game for two players where the objective is to checkmate the opponent’s king. While the game originated in Asia, it has gained popularity worldwide with leagues and clubs in various countries.

The scandal first came to public attention in September when the CXA issued lifetime bans on Wang Yuefei and Wang Tianyi. Tianyi, often referred to as the Magnus Carlsen of Xiangqi, is a four-time national champion and three-time world champion. The duo came under scrutiny after leaked audio clips, now dubbed ‘Recording Gate’, revealed discussions about match-fixing between Yuefei and another player, Hao Jichao.

The CXA investigation further uncovered that Tianyi had accepted bribes totaling approximately $110,000 to manipulate game outcomes. Ca Yi, a former Chinese chess player, highlighted the significant temptation for players to engage in such activities, especially in the competitive environment of commercial clubs.

The cheating scandal has sent shockwaves through the Xiangqi community, raising concerns about the integrity of the sport and the need for stricter regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.